Fear Less

Interview: In this gripping episode of the Fear Less podcast, we sit down with TJ, a member of the elite Air Force Special Warfare Pararescue team, also known as PJs. TJ gives us an inside look into the harrowing world of a Pararescue jumper, whose primary mission is to rescue and provide medical treatment to downed pilots, special forces operators, and others who find themselves in danger behind enemy lines. These highly skilled experts are trained to handle any environment—from skydiving, scuba diving, and rock climbing to braving arctic conditions—all in the name of saving lives.

TJ takes us through the intense moments of jumping out of planes and helicopters and embarking on underwater missions, describing how he confronts and manages fear in the face of danger. He shares his personal strategies for overcoming fear, focusing on the importance of extensive training and preparation and the mindset of putting others above himself. He also reflects on the skill of modulating fear, learning to dial it "up to red" for missions and down "to green" to recover afterward. For TJ, it's the mission of saving lives that allows him to push through fear, risk his own life, and perform under profound pressure.

Join us in this powerful conversation with TJ, where we explore the critical role of a PJ, the meaning of true bravery, and the immense responsibility shouldered by these heroes of the Air Force Special Warfare. This episode is not to be missed by anyone interested in military operations, courage in the face of danger, or inspirational stories of selflessness and duty.

Zack's Anxiety Hack: In this segment, Zack talk about creating certainty when anxious using a simple but effective method.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Interview: In this compelling episode of "Fear Less," host Will and Zack interview Max Augliere, a professional spearfishing guide. The discussion explores the physical and mental challenges of one of the world's most dangerous sports: free-dive spearfishing. Max shares the intricacies of spearfishing in the open ocean without scuba equipment and details the sport's hazards, which include marine predators and shallow water blackout. He also highlights the sport's mental aspects, discussing how he intentionally engages his own fear of spearfishing ("I'm nervous before every dive") as a means to achieve personal growth and self-discovery.

In his work with clients, Max employs techniques that resonate with exposure and response prevention therapy (ERP), helping clients confront their fears through a controlled process of escalating challenges. This method involves thorough preparation, understanding physiological responses, and reframing anxiety as a protective, rather than obstructive, force. Max's personal journey, including a harrowing health scare that led to a deeper understanding of his body and capabilities, provides a powerful narrative of overcoming fear and self-doubt.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the broader implications of facing our fears, not just in sport but in all aspects of life. It emphasizes the importance of embracing one's own unique fear set as means to personal growth and fulfillment.

Zack's Anxiety Hack: In this week's hack Zack shares the importance of social connection in helping you Fear Less!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Interview: In this episode of Fear Less, we delve into the world of parenting anxious youth with Mountain Valley's parent coach, Dr. Lisa Rosen. With her background in psychology, Lisa is the driving force behind the Mountain Valley Treatment Center's robust parent coaching program. Having earned her BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania and her doctorate in clinical psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School in 1997, Dr. Rosen has spent decades immersed in the psychological community. After witnessing the transformative impact of Mountain Valley's residential program on her youngest daughter in the fall of 2018, she joined the team to lead Mountain Valley's parent support efforts in 2019.

Dr. Rosen is trained in the highly specialized S.P.A.C.E. (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) treatment model. Originating from the Yale Child Study Center, S.P.A.C.E. is a parent focused treatment protocol with proven efficacy in the reduction of child anxiety. In this episode, Dr. Rosen delves into the intricacies of her parent coaching work, outlining key pillars of S.P.A.C.E. approach and providing practical tips for becoming a strong and supportive parent to an anxious child.

Zack's Anxiety Hack: In this episode, Zack dives into how journaling can help you to Fear Less.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Interview: In this episode of the Fear Less podcast, we sit down with Gray Thomas, a Middlebury College student, lacrosse player, and former resident at Mountain Valley Treatment Center. Gray shares the story of stepping back from college, sports, and life to face his fears head-on and enroll at Mountain Valley. During our conversation, Gray shares the valuable lessons he learned through Exposure Response Prevention therapy and practical daily habits, such as the Wim Hof Method, that have become a crucial part of his anxiety management toolkit. He also discusses how talk therapy, community, and peer connection played a pivotal role in his recovery.

Gray's story continued beyond Mountain Valley, where he returned to school, rejoined the lacrosse team, and embarked on a new venture - starting his own hat company. But this is no ordinary hat company. Gray's mission is to use his brand to destigmatize mental health and create a conversation around it.

Tune in to hear Gray's inspiring story and learn how he turned his struggles with anxiety into a powerful message of hope and change. You won't want to miss this heartfelt and eye-opening conversation.

Zack's Anxiety Hack: Zack shares how exercise can help you fear less so you can do more.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Interview: As an ultra-distance runner and professional explorer, Ray has set numerous records in the most extreme environments on earth--from the Sahara Desert to the South Pole. After several years of quiet success as a professional mountain biker and ultra runner, Ray exploded onto the expedition scene with an incredible feat: running across the entire North African continent in 111 days. This epic journey can be relived in the documentary Running the Sahara, available on Netflix and narrated by none other than Matt Damon. But Ray's story doesn't end there; with over 40 sponsored expeditions in extreme environments, there's no terrain he hasn't conquered. But Ray is more than a professional adventurer. He wears many hats including educator, founder of Impossible2Possible (an international adventure education company), speaker, entrepreneur, guide, father, and cancer survivor. As we discuss his life, Ray sheds light on his unique approach to fear, and how he maintains a level head and calm heart amidst such extreme circumstances. Join us as we uncover the mysticism, strength, and resilience of this remarkable man.

Zack's Anxiety Hack: In this episode Zack revisits a discussion with Will about his fear of heights. Will shares how ERP helped him to realize that the fear wasn't really about heights but about not being able to protect others.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Interview: In this episode, host Will Laughlin is joined by world-class swimmer, scholar, educator, and actor, Kurt Kroesche. Kurt shares candidly about his life-long battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and its pervasive influence on his life and achievements. From his early days, Kurt was haunted by an overwhelming fear of contracting cancer, which shaped his thoughts, actions, and life in significant ways. Despite these challenges, Kurt used the same obsessive-compulsive tendencies to fuel his dedication and discipline as a swimmer, eventually joining Stanford's esteemed swim team and becoming a national champion.

Kurt opens up about a dark period in his life, where he felt compelled to drop out of school. He details his journey to find help, his encounters with a therapist who enlightened him about OCD, and the rigorous yet rewarding process of working through his fears. Kurt's story is one of resilience and determination, showcasing how he harnessed the very condition that plagued him to thrive academically, athletically, and artistically.

This episode dives deep into the paradox of living with OCD, the power of understanding one's mind, and the beauty of resilience. It sheds light on how facing one's fears and embracing one's vulnerabilities can lead to unexpected accomplishments. Whether you are a student, an athlete, dealing with mental health issues, or just looking for an inspiring story, Kurt's journey will leave you with a new perspective on fear, resilience, and the human spirit.

Zack's Hack: In this week's anxiety hack we will explore a simple yet effective way of dealing with anxiety through breath work.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode, Will and Zack chat with therapist and mental health innovator, Isabelle Tierney. Isabelle is the brain and force behind Stress Reset (stressreset.co) and two other mental health and wellness companies. As founder and CEO of Stress Reset, Isabelle's mission is to deliver effective stress management solutions to corporations globally to improve employee retention, productivity, and well-being. And she comes well-equipped for the task. With two graduate degrees, a private practice spanning over two decades, and a reputation as an inspiring international keynote speaker, Isabelle is a wellspring of knowledge and passion in the realm of stress management.

But our conversation isn't just about Isabelle's professional triumphs; it's also about the personal trials that inform her work. She offers a candid view of her own journey as a wounded healer, for whom personal struggle has been a key source of professional wisdom.

The Stress Reset's success isn't a one-woman show, however. A shoutout is due to a diverse team of Certified Facilitators who stand with Isabelle in the shared vision of curbing stress and elevating well-being on a global scale.

To participate in an upcoming course that Isabelle is offering that will help you change your habits to feel good in life check this link out.

Zack's Hack: In this segment, Zack delves into the intriguing world of our vestibular system. Listen to the whole podcast to learn how tweaking this system can be your secret weapon to "Fear Less" in the face of challenges.

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

Interview: In this episode of the Fear Less Podcast, Nevada firefighter, paramedic, ultra-runner, and adventurer Jill Andersen, describes her epic life of risk with humility and humor. Jill fights wildfires and structure fires; conducts aquatic, helicopter, and backcountry search and rescue operations; and provides life-saving medical care as part of the very busy Lake Tahoe/Incline Village Fire Department. Oh, and to wind down between disasters, she runs ultra-marathons! Jill gives us an inside look at how first responders experience and copes with the high-intensity, high-stakes, high-risk situations they see every day. Despite her courage in the face of towering flames and her ferocity as a trail runner, Jill reveals the more everyday fears she contends with—including an intense fear of lightning. Dive in as we uncover the intricate dance of fear and bravery in Jill's life.

Zack's Hack: Don't forget to listen to the full episode to learn about another useful Zack's anxiety hack!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

In this episode hosts Zack and Will explore how restorative practices such as mindfulness, breathing, yoga, rest, and play can turbocharge the hard work of exposure-based therapy, vastly improving outcomes. They compare this combination of complementary approaches to the work-rest approach of athletes and other high performers. This episode also delves into our physical responses to anxiety, the benefits of exposure therapy, and the importance of engaging the parasympathetic nervous system through relaxation. It also addresses the challenges faced by high achievers in slowing down and the role of breathwork in anxiety treatment. Listen to learn a variety of strategies to not just manage anxiety but to transform it into a superpower!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.

If you've ever heard exhortations like "Get back on the horse!" or "Face your fears!" or "Do something that scares you every day!" then you are at least vaguely familiar with the concept behind exposure therapy. But these quotes belie the highly sophisticated, evidence-based nature of actual exposure therapy, known more formally as exposure and response prevention therapy, or ERP. In today's episode, we take a deep dive into ERP with our guest, Sharon McCallie-Stellar, a psychotherapist and exposure therapy expert.

Sharon reveals that exposure therapy is not just about facing fears head-on; it's also about compassionately coming alongside the client, understanding the root causes of their fears, building therapeutic rapport, and creating a plan that addresses the client's unique needs at a pace that works best for them. We'll explore the different aspects of social anxiety and how it manifests differently for everyone, especially during challenging times. Sharon will also detail the process of conducting a functional assessment—the foundation of ERP—and will even take Co-Host Zack Schafer through his own exposure process!

The exposure process is a crucial aspect of anxiety treatment and Sharon guides us through the gradual steps and personalized plans for confronting fears. We learn the importance of "what if" questions in guiding the exposure process, which can begin with imagined or in vivo experiences depending on the individual's comfort level.

Throughout the episode, we gain insight into the physiological manifestation of anxiety in the body and the role of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in understanding the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and actions. Sharon explains how Exposure Response Prevention (ERP) is derived from CBT and aims to challenge avoidance behaviors.

Join us as we explore the journey of confronting fears and the transformative power of exposure therapy. We'll uncover the techniques behind Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), the role of cognitive-behavioral therapy, and the importance of normalizing anxiety.

And be sure to stick around until the end of the episode for a useful "Zack's Hack" to help address anxiety in everyday life!

Fear Less is sponsored by Mountain Valley Treatment Center.